Joel Barber Barber's Centennial Bluebill Pair

Joel D. Barber (1876-1952) Wilton, CT, c. 1930 12 3/4 in. long

A pair of classic Stratford School divers that tie together the first two decoy book authors, Barber and Earnest. The drake is inscribed "Pair Bluebill by Joel Barber" followed by the signature of Adele Earnest, an American folk art collector, an author, a historian, and a noted authority on wildfowl decoys. Barber published illustrations of Ben Holmes' famous "Centennial Broadbill," the influence of which can be see here. The undersides of the balsa bodies also bear cold-stamped "L. MOORE" rig markings.

Barber historian Shane Newell has published his research on this exact pair in a magazine article and in a book chapter.

In original paint with gunning wear and darkening where worn to wood.

Provenance: L. Moore Rig, acquired from the maker Adele Earnest Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts

Literature: Gene and Linda Kangas and Donald Kirson, ed., "Bonfire of Swans," Concord, OH, 2012, pp. 76-77, exact pair discussed and illustrated. Shane Newell, "Rare Pair of Barber Decoy 'rediscovered' at National Antique Decoy Show," Decoy Magazine, May/June 2005, pp. 3, 28-29, exact pair discussed and illustrated. Joel Barber, "Wild Fowl Decoys," Brooklyn, NY, 1934, pp. 72-73, construction of decoys discussed.

Provenance

L. Moore Rig, acquired from the maker Adele Earnest Collection Private Collection, Massachusetts